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ASU Softball: Sun Devils look to continue winning ways

By Carson Field

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot, 'Sparky' following the college football game against the Washington Huskies at Sun Devil Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Huskies 27-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot, 'Sparky' following the college football game against the Washington Huskies at Sun Devil Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Huskies 27-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Currently riding a nine-game winning streak, ASU softball will look to continue its winning ways in the Mary Nutter Classic.

After a loss to start the season, the Sun Devils have found their stride.

Since losing the first game of the year against Tennessee, ASU has won nine in a row, helping the Devils climb to No. 17 in the rankings. Last weekend, the Arizona State softball team won every game it played in the Littlewood Classic, a tournament hosted at Farrington Stadium in Tempe.

The Sun Devils began the tournament with a five-inning win over North Dakota last Friday, and they followed that performance with victories over Illinois State, Texas State and San Diego.

The only close game for Arizona State last weekend was Saturday against Texas State when the Bobcats forced the Sun Devils into extra innings. However, ASU escaped Farrington with a 4-3 win as a result of a Danielle Gibson walk-off double.

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Proof of the Sun Devil dominance in the Littlewood Classic is shown by the statistics. ASU outscored opponents 28-4 in the tournament, and the team’s pitching staff held opponents to a meager batting average of .167.

After a weekend of games against mid-majors, Arizona State will face real challenges this weekend.

The team will look to continue its winning ways this weekend in the Mary Nutter Classic, an annual collegiate softball tournament hosted in Palm Springs, California. During the tournament, ASU will play against Mississippi State, Oklahoma, LIU Brooklyn, Liberty and Cal State Fullerton.

While Mississippi State also comes into the tournament with a 9-1 record, the Bulldogs have not played any opponents from major conferences, and their one loss came against Missouri Valley Conference opponent Drake. The Bulldogs will face their first major opponent of the season Thursday against the Sun Devils.

Later Thursday, ASU takes on the two-time defending national champions in Oklahoma. Despite a top-10 ranking and 6-1 record, the Sooners dropped a game they shouldn’t have to Boston University last weekend in the Troy Cox Classic.

After two games Thursday, Arizona State continues tournament play Friday against LIU Brooklyn. The Blackbirds have struggled to start the 2018 campaign, as the team boasts a minuscule 3-7 mark on the year.

Saturday, Arizona State plays a strong mid-major team in Liberty. The Flames have started the year on a roll with an 8-1 record, and the team has held opponents to one run or less six times this season.

Mary Nutter Classic play concludes for the Sun Devils Sunday when ASU faces Cal State Fullerton. Like LIU Brooklyn, the Titans have struggled in the early season, coming into the tournament with a 3-6 record. In last year’s contest between ASU and Cal State Fullerton, the Sun Devils run ruled the Titans, 10-1.

Next: ASU Softball: Juarez dominant as Sun Devils defeat San Diego

All of this weekend’s games can be seen with a subscription to FloSoftball. Tournament action kicks off for the Sun Devils at 2 p.m. MT against Mississippi State.

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